Vibes

Reason to Live
By Jaime Jamgochian, Centricity Records.

Jaime Jamgochian’s Reason to Live brings the listener back to the heart of worship. Her sincere ballads and passionate songs of praise reveal an honest cry to love and know God. Songs such as “Hear My Worship” and “Devoted” will inspire you to throw down any image you have that does not reflect authentically who you are and reach for the place where God reveals His mysteries to you. Jamgochian offers her heart with this release, encouraging listeners to see worship as a lifestyle that doesn’t end when the music stops. Be prepared—her CD beckons you into the presence of God, where only the surrendered can enter.
Jevon Bolden

Surrounded
By Men of Standard, Integrity Gospel.

Men of Standard are one of gospel music’s premier vocal groups. Surrounded, their latest release, marks two firsts for the group: their debut on Integrity Gospel and a change from quartet to trio after the departure of Michael Bacon. The new CD showcases their trademark harmonies while adding an edgier style, thanks partly to production by Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary). The 10 tracks include potential urban-radio hits such as the exciting “I Will,” the funky “Everybody” and the reggae-infused “Alright,” which features rap icon Heavy D. The disc also includes collaborations with Tye Tribbett on the rock-tinged “Yours,” and Grammy-winner Kirk Franklin on the prayerful “Latter Rain.” Surrounded is a statement of Men of Standard’s commitment to musical quality and relevant ministry.

Twanna Powell

Living for You
By Gateway Worship, Integrity Music.

This new collaboration by the music team of Gateway Church, near Dallas-Fort Worth, contains an energetic range of styles—from contemporary to Euro—and makes for an exciting journey into worship. The songs of Living for You span some of the emotions we experience in the presence of God. “Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King” expresses the heart’s desire to be indwelled by the Spirit of God. “Reason I’m Alive” brings out uncontainable thanksgiving to Jesus the life-giver, the one who sacrificed all to give eternal life. The accompanying DVD of the live recording takes this package to another level while adding a visual demonstration of Gateway Church’s heart for God.
JEVON BOLDEN

Uncommon Days
By Circleslide, Centricity Records.

Centricity Records’ new band Circleslide finally arrives on the musical scene after winning the title of Best Contemporary Christian Band at 2003’s Music in the Rockies, sponsored by the Gospel Music Association. The collection of polished, modern-rock tracks on Uncommon Days creates an impressive musical experience. Highlights include the soaring rock of “Home,” Euro-rock sounds on “Noah,” the explosive hard-rock of “Weatherboy (C’mon C’mon),” the contemplative “Up to the Sky” and cutting-edge worship on “Sun of My Soul.” Uncommon Days was scheduled to release last year but was delayed. Thankfully, the music isn’t dated and even carries a feeling of newness. This is sure to be one of the finer rock releases of the year.
Dewayne Hamby

BOOKS

The Confident Woman
By Joyce Meyer, FaithWords, hardcover,
272 pages, $22.99.
Popular Bible teacher Joyce Meyer’s latest book offers a jolt of encouragement to those who want a healthy sense of self-worth based on having confidence in the Lord and trusting themselves because they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Meyer, who publicly speaks of times in her past when she was molested by her father and other men and describes trials she’s undergone from being a people-pleaser and having a controlling personality, writes about the process God used to make her a new woman of confidence. She says confidence is found in doing the best we can with what we have to work with and that this process begins with self-acceptance. Any woman who struggles to have a healthy, wholesome and godly self-image would enjoy and learn from this book.
Tracee N. Mason

Furious Pursuit
By Tim King and Frank Martin,
WaterBrook Press, softcover,
224 pages, $14.99.
Many books have been written about chasing after God, but in Furious Pursuit: Why God Will Never Let You Go, authors Tim King and Frank Martin make their case that the Bible is a passionate romance story detailing God’s relentless pursuit of an intense relationship with His children. King and Martin explain that believers tend to dwell on their own failures and inconsistencies and only when they begin to accept the scope of His grace and love for them can they start to experience true peace and freedom. Both authors contribute insightful and interesting stories to make their points, and their use of the courtship-marriage analogy works well. Furious Pursuit presents the topic of God’s love in a compelling and reader-friendly style. A companion workbook is also available.
Jeff Friend

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
By Peter Scazzero, Integrity Publishers,
224 pages, hardcover, $19.99.
Peter Scazzero seeks to bridge the gulf between emotional and spiritual wellness in his new book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. He provides a well thought out and organized work that takes believers step by step from religion to relationship—healthy, whole relationships with God and His people. He believes humanity was created to experience deeply God’s love and that His love empowers Christians to be who they were designed to be in God, and then live in this position with authority. Scazzero helps readers identify dead areas in their emotions and spirituality and then guides them toward restoration by pointing them to God’s transforming love. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality extols the importance of being emotionally healthy and spiritually whole so that God can fully express His glory through His children.
Jevon Bolden

Captured by Grace
By David Jeremiah,
Integrity Publishers, hardcover, 256 pages, $21.99.
Hundreds of years separated the lives of the apostle Paul and John Newton, writer of “Amazing Grace,” but their stories have interesting parallels that demonstrate the vastness of God’s grace. David Jeremiah uses portions of Newton’s hymn and Paul’s letters to illustrate how grace transformed the lives of “a wretch” and “the chief of sinners” into powerful believers. Jeremiah does not simply quote Scripture or song lyrics and offer a few thoughts on each passage. He skillfully breaks them down into understandable, heart-lifting concepts through stories and practical applications. Captured by Grace is divided into three sections—Grace for the Past, Grace for the Present and Grace for the Future. These provide a clear, informative picture of God’s grace and all its many wonderful facets.
Jeff Friend

MOVIES

Everyone’s Hero
Twentieth Century Fox, Rated G.
Opens Sept. 15.
Everyone’s Hero is a charming story of a son’s love for his father. Yankee Irving loves the game of baseball, but he’s little and not very good—no one likes having him on their sandlot team. Yankee feels as if he can’t do much. His dad works at Yankee Stadium, where Babe Ruth is the star player. When Mr. Irving is accused of stealing the Babe’s magic baseball bat, he’s fired. Yankee is determined to do whatever it takes to help his dad get his job back. He knows who stole the bat and he’s going to get it back. A lot of people help Yankee along the way—including a talking baseball and bat. This little boy learns to believe in himself and in the end surprises everyone. Lots of funny antics and scenes will keep kids hooked to the story and laughing along. The entire family will enjoy watching this adorable, family-friendly film.
Leigh Devore

Flicka
Twentieth Century Fox, Rated PG.
Opens Oct. 20.
The beloved novel My Friend Flicka by Mary O’Hara comes to life in this modern film adaptation, Flicka. Teenager Katy McLaughlin (Alison Lohman) and her father do not see eye to eye. Rob McLaughlin, played by country singer Tim McGraw, wants his daughter to go to college so she can choose a life beyond the family horse ranch. But ranching is the life Katy wants, and she won’t let anything stand in her way. When Katy finds a wild mustang, she is determined to tame Flicka—and prove to her father that she has what it takes to be a rancher. But Katy’s disregard for her father’s instructions puts everyone in danger. Eventually, through their disagreements and misunderstandings, father and daughter are able to gain a new appreciation of and understanding for each other. Families will enjoy the experience of seeing this classic story come to life.
Leigh Devore

FICTION – [Suspense]

Violet Dawn
By Brandilyn Collins, Zondervan,
softcover, 336 pages, $12.99.
Paige Williams is trying to overcome her tragic past. She moves to the small town of Kanner Lake hoping to make a new life for herself. But when a retired movie star disappears, Paige becomes a suspect. How can she explain what happened? Will she ever be able to put her past behind her?

[Historical]

The Prophet
By Francine Rivers, Tyndale House
Publishers, hardcover, 224 pages, $14.99.
Even as a youth, shepherd Amos saw that the priests cheated people for profit. As a man, he wonders if God sees the ongoing injustice—and if He cares. Amos avoids the corruption as much as he can. But God has a warning for those who do not honor His laws, and Amos is to be the messenger.

[Contemporary]

The Brushstroke Legacy
By Lauraine Snelling, WaterBrook Press,
Softcover, 400 pages, $13.99.
Ragni Clauson’s life is out of control. She hopes her three-week vacation will cure what ails her. But instead of weeks of leisure, she fulfills her mother’s request to restore her great-grandmother’s old cabin. As Ragni and her troubled teenage niece repair and restore the homestead, they reconnect with their heritage and gain a new perspective on life.

New On DVD

Though None Go With Me
GT Media
$19.98
Based on the novel by Jerry B. Jenkins, the Hallmark Channel movie Though None Go With Me is now available on DVD. Cheryl Ladd stars as the older Elizabeth Leroy Bishop, a woman who dedicated her life to God as a young woman. For five decades her faith is tested through a multitude of tragedies and circumstances. Bishop comes to realize that her commitment to God affected more than just her own life.

Thank You God for … Bananas, Bubbles and Busy Bodies
Exclaim

Entertainment
$14.99
Boz the Green Bear Next Door DVD series helps children ages 1 through 6 learn developmental principles while exploring God’s world. On the newest DVD, Thank You God for…Bananas, Bubbles and Busy Bodies, Boz and 4-year-old neighbor twins Drew and Gracie learn about being active, eating right and staying clean. Each DVD in the series includes three 15-minute stories, music, games and other bonus features.

Preaching to the Choir
Codeblack Entertainment
$19.99
Twin brothers Teshawn and Wesley Tucker are not the best of friends and lead very different lives. Wesley ministers to people as a pastor of a church in Harlem. Teshawn is a hip-hop star. But when Teshawn gets into trouble, he has no choice but to turn to his estranged brother. Surprisingly, Teshawn becomes a great blessing to the church choir. And Pastor Wesley discovers he has a lot to learn when it comes to love and redemption.